There are a lot of treadmill options on the market for general fitness buffs. When it comes to avid runners who are after a little bit more in terms of performance, functionality, and reliability, however, the options are somewhat limited. The Sole TT8 fits into that market segment very nicely. It provides the quality that serious runners demand without the overblown price that they can’t afford.
Want to know how good the Sole TT8 treadmill really is? Read on for the unvarnished truth!
Sole Fitness TT8 Treadmill
Key Specs:
- Motor: 4.0 CHP
- Max User Weight: 400 lbs.
- Display: 10.1” TFT LCD
- Incline: 0-15 levels
- Decline: 0-6 levels
- Running Bed: 22 x 60 inches
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Tablet Holder: Yes
PROS:
CONS:
Running Bed
The majority of home treadmill manufacturers compromise on the size of the running bed in order to bring down the footprint and price of the machine. There is none of that on the Sole TT8. In fact, the running bed on this machine is about as big as you will get on a home treadmill. At 22 x 60 inches, it provides you with all the space you will need to engage in a free, natural running motion, no matter how tall you are.
Track Construction
Not only is the running bed of the Sole TT8 impressively large, but it is also very well made. For one thing, the tread belt is self-lubricating. That minimizes the need to maintain the belt. You get four layers of tracks that include nylon, rubber, and PVC. This provides you with a reliable running track that won’t be easily overstretched, is very durable and prevents static electricity buildup.
Cushion Flex Whisper Deck
We’re not done with the running deck yet. It makes use of Sole’s patented Cushion Flex Whisper Deck technology. This technology claims to be able to reduce ankle impact by 40 percent compared to running outdoors. Judging by user reviews, we believe that claim. That makes this running deck a smart choice for anyone who cares about their joint integrity!
Max User Weight
The maximum user weight of a treadmill gives you a very good indication of its overall durability. The 400-pound rating on the Sole TT8 impresses on both counts. This is one of the highest-rated user weight treadmills for home use that we have come across. That means that the machine is built to last, which leads into our next impressive feature
Warranty
Sole are an acknowledged market leader when it comes to the generosity of their warranties, with the Sole TT8 providing a prime example. You get a lifetime warranty on the frame, motor, and deck.
Now, some manufacturers will provide such a generous warranty for home use, but the moment you put the machine in a light commercial setting, the warranty is voided. Not so with Sole! The lifetime warranty actually includes light commercial use!
You get five years' coverage on parts and two years on labor for a home setting. If using the machine for light commercial application, the cover reduces to three years on parts and one year on labor. We think that those conditions are entirely reasonable!
Incline / Decline
If you want a treadmill that allows you to ramp up the intensity, the TT8 has got you covered. It provides you with an incredible 30 levels of auto incline functionality. The max incline is 15 degrees, which is plenty enough to get your quads screaming! On top of that, there are an additional six levels of decline.
Motor
If you haven’t got the picture yet, the Sole TT8 is a beast of a treadmill. It is powered by an equally beastly 4.0 CHP motor. That is enough to get you sprinting up to 12 miles per hour! And don’t forget – that motor comes with a lifetime warranty!
Screen / Workouts
The Sole TT8 display is fitted with a large 10.1” screen. The graphic display is the best you’ll find on any sole treadmill (which is really saying something!). You get 10 built-in workout programs, which allow for a full variety of workout goals. Included are two user profiles so that more than one person can record their workout stats.
Bluetooth Compatibility
The console on the Sole TT8 is fully Bluetooth compatible. That opens up the world to you, allowing you to download a ton of workouts and to save your workout data to your favorite workout app.
What’s Not So Good
To be honest, we had to struggle to come up with anything negative to say about the Sole TT8. At the end of the day, the only thing we could come up with is that it takes up a relatively large footprint. It’s about the same size as a treadmill you’d see at your local gym, with dimensions of 81 x 38 x 15 inches and a weight of 296 pounds.
Apart from the size of the Sole TT8, we have no other complaints. That may explain why the TT8 is the most popular of all of Sole’s treadmills and one of the market’s favorites.
What Others are Saying
We’re not surprised that the vast majority of reviews are overwhelmingly positive in the reviews of the Sole TT8 treadmill. Adjectives like ‘wonderful’, ‘fantastic’ and ‘awesome’ are common, as are comments on the superior build, generous running track and great service provided by Sole.
The only negative feedback was about the size and weight of the machine. So, once you find the ideal spot or this machine, you don’t want to have to be moving it.
Final Thoughts
As you may have worked out, we love the Sole TT8. This is a great treadmill for serious runners. However, if you’re looking to spend a little bit less and may not be using your treadmill every day the SOLE F80 and F85 could be great choices at a lower price.